General de Brigade

WARGAMES HOLIDAY CENTRE GAMES

2011-12-31T05:31:00.000-08:00

Some GdeB dates for your 2012 Diary!

The Wargames Holiday Centre 2012.
January
20-22 Battle of Eylau (Nap) (GdB)
April
6th – 8th Battle of Wagram (Nap) (GdB)
July
20th-22nd Battle of Salamanca (Nap) (GdB)
August
24th-26th Battle of Dresden (Nap) (GdB)

For full details contact Mark Freeth http://www.wargameshc.co.uk/

Tel: 01256 323332.

GENERAL DE BRIGADE SCENARIOS VOL 5

2011-12-05T10:52:00.000-08:00

The full colour General de Brigade Scenarios Vol 5 - Wellingtons Victories is now available from Caliver Books.

It contains 11 Peninsular War scenarios from Vimiero in 1808 through to Toulouse in 1814.

For more info see the GdeB forum thread.

Battlegroup PanzerGrenadier Vol 3 Battles for the Mediterranean Scenarios

2011-11-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

Battlegroup PanzerGrenadier Vol 3 Battles for the Mediterranean scenarios are now available from Caliver Books!
See the Battlegroup PanzerGrenadier forum and thread for more info.

BORODINO AT THE WARGAMES HOLIDAY CENTRE

2011-10-25T05:41:00.001-07:00

On Friday October 21st fourteen players descend upon the Wargames Holiday Centre, now relocated to sunny Basingstoke, for a Russian vs. French Battle of Borodino rematch using General de Brigade rules.

See the General de Brigade thread for a full AAR!

BRITISH GRENADIER DELUXE EDITION!

2011-04-15T05:58:00.000-07:00

The Deluxe Edition of British Grenadier AWI Rules is nearly here!

British Grenadier rules permit players to take command of the forces battling in America as the thirteen colonies struggle for independence.

You can deploy the regiments and guns on the battlefield of that era making the decisions that decided the fate of a continent!

GENERAL DE BRIGADE DELUXE

2010-09-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

See the General de Brigade Deluxe thread in the General de Brigade forum for rules changes.

GdeB Deluxe scenarios and articles appearing in Wargames Illustrated and Miniature Wargames magazines in the near future.

GENERAL DE BRIGADE DELUXE

2010-08-25T13:48:00.000-07:00

General de Brigade Deluxe Edition is here with an official release date for Colours in September!

GdeB has been revisited and revised with an emphasis on speeding up game play and game resolutions whilst still ensuring the core principles of Napoleonic tactical combat are acknowledged and enhanced.

New rule areas include:

Command and Control and Generals ability to launch charges.

Tactical Marches

Formation Tests for such situations such as interpenetration and infantry winning melees.

Third Rank Skirmishers

Grand Batteries and

Broken Brigades

And Victory & Defeat - to name a few.

£27.50 for the full colour hardback edition.

£39.50 for the gold embossed limited edition (Nice!)

Both available from Caliver Books.

I'll be at Colours and SELWG demo-ing the new edition.

BUSACO AT SALUTE 2010

2010-05-31T01:33:00.000-07:00

Loughton Strike Force presented Busaco at Salute this year.

See the thread on the General de Brigade forum for more photos.

ASPERN-ESSLING

2010-01-18T14:11:00.000-08:00

Following the dawning of 2010 we decided to continue with the 1809 bicentenary celebrations and refight Aspern-Essling!
This was also a good opportunity to test may of the proposed Deluxe General de Brigade Rules
The refight did not disappoint and distinctly followed in the footsteps of its historical precedent!

There was a most desperate struggle for the village of Aspern, especially around the Church, which eventually fell to the Austrians. While the village of Essling proved an even more difficult conquest for the Austrians battalions. Three times they stormed Essling, only to be driven out in turn, by first Boudets garrison, then the Young Guard and then finally the Old Guard! However the Granary, manned by a gallant French elite battalion held out, at times in complete isolation, despite repeated Austrian attempts to storm the stronghold.

In the end Austrian numbers told, and with more and more white coated columns deploying onto the field, the French were forced to throw in their heavy cavalry reserves in order to gain time for an ordered retreat over the Danube! The Austrians countered with their numerous cavalry reserves (which included a splendid charge by Hessen-Hombergs kurassiers in riding down an entire French infantry brigade) and so forced the French army to retire! (Again!)

WAGRAM AT WELLINGTON BARRACKS

2009-11-06T08:19:00.000-08:00

All,

Wagram was refought at last weekend in the Guards Officers Mess at Wellington Barracks, London.

25 players joined to refight this truly immense struggle on a table stretching over 35 feet, with over 12,000 15mm figures!

Rules were General de Brigade and all units were at 1:20 figure scale.

Player contributions saw the event raise £600 for the Colonels Fund 1st Bn. Grenadier Guards for wounded guardsmen.

See the Wagram game thread under the General de Brigade forum for more.

BATTLEGROUP PANZERGRENADIER 2ND EDITION

2009-06-03T12:15:00.000-07:00

2nd Edition Panzer-Grenadier remains firmly based on the original fire and movement mechanisms however there are differences in several areas, especially command and control.
New Command & Control!Completely new command and control rules permit players to attempt wider activation of units and Combat Groups within their Battlegroups, now influenced directly by the presence of command units, national ability and "command pressure" from the Battlegroup HQ.

The 1st Edition's sole reliance on Command Points for Combat Group activation has been replaced with an Activation Table which now relies on Command Units to activate Combat Groups and to allow for HQ Command Points to assist with these activation attempts. Those units without command may now only be activated as individual units (with the required assistance of a Command Point if they are not specialist troops), thereby placing a heavier emphasis upon the importance of command and the chain of command within the rules.
Thus the more flexible and well lead German army will have the ability to activate a good number of Combat Groups, while the less effective armies, such as the Russians, will find it harder to activate multiple Combat Groups. These armies will need to rely more heavily on activating the fewer Senior Command Units to move large numbers of troops, in order to achieve their aims.

Command Decisions! Players should not expect all their units to be activated each turn and are still forced to make command decisions as to where to concentrate command effort. Thus unrealistic situations where every single unit on the wargames table is permitted to move and fire without restriction are still avoided within the 2nd Edition.

Uncertainty is also introduced within the game turn, as any double one activation attempt automatically generates a Command Confusion result which provides the opponent with an opportunity to seize the initiative and immediately end the current players phase.

New Rules for Artillery; Machine Guns & AT Guns! Greater emphasis has also been placed on the historical differences between armies, for instance the revised artillery rules reflect each major nation's artillery doctrine and unique usage, while new rules covering MG area fire have also been included. Other new aspects include an intensive fire option for anti-guns and self-propelled guns, this increased fire rate now gives greater consideration to the threat such weapons posed to tanks on the battlefield. This greater emphasis on weapon and national differences will require commanders to play to the strengths of their particular Battlegroup, accepting that while they may be weak in one area they can take advantages of their strengths in other areas.

Japanese! Finally new rules and equipment lists have been introduced for the Japanese, enabling players to expand into the Asian and Pacific theatres.

Players will find the 2nd Edition more comprehensive but it nonetheless maintains a fluid game mechanism that still provides for a good range of "realistic" outcomes. The emphasis of Battlegroup Panzer-Grenadier is still firmly based on playability, after all wargamers usually prefer to see their miniatures on the table top and actually have something to shoot at during the course of a game!

The basic game tactical unit is the infantry section or squad supported by armoured fighting vehicles, artillery and ground attack aircraft. The rules are written for use with 15mm or 20mm figures, though work perfectly well for smaller scales.

Includes quick reference section, unit markers, templates and army lists plus 4 scenarios.

Available from Caliver Books @ £19.50.

SALUTE 2009 - STORMING THE REICHSTAG

2009-03-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

This years LSF game at Salute was a Battlegroup PanzerGrenadier scenario - Storming the Reichstag. See the BGPG thread for more photos.

General de Brigade Scenarios 4

2009-03-07T01:11:00.001-08:00

General de Brigade Scenario Book 4: Against the Ottomans is now available:

BRITISH GRENADIER!

2009-03-04T08:47:00.000-08:00

See the current issue of Battlegames (Issue 16) for a fascinating scenario & write up of the two-day refight of the Battle for Long Island 1776.

WW2: ARNHEM CORRIDOR

2009-02-03T12:49:00.000-08:00

A large Battlegroup PanzerGrenadier WW2 rules game recreating the action along the Arnhem Corridor as XXX Corps attempts to capture the Nijmegen Bridge and push onto Arnhem.

More on the Battlegroup PanzerGrenadier forum.

Battlegroup PanzerGrenadier: Operation Bagration Colours 2008

2008-09-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

For a full report of the Battlegroup PanzerGrenadier Operation Bagration game put on at the Colours show - see the Battlegroup PanzerGrenadier forum.

Die Kriegskunst: Wargaming the Seven Years War

2008-07-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

It's finally out!! Time to start painting a few SYW armies! Well done to to Angus Konstam & Dougie Trail for their efforts. As usual the rules are available via Caliver Books. Enjoy.

Forum Overhaul

2008-05-03T15:46:00.000-07:00

Due to eighty-two percent of forum respondents approving of the idea, we have completely reshuffled the forums. There are now separate subfora for each era and its corresponding set of rules. Thus, from now on any new threads should be created in the appropriate subforum. The original “General Wargaming Discussion” thread will remain where it is for non-rules-specific discussion, but D. C. R. Brown will be transferring any rules-specific threads from it in due course.

The link has been updated to reflect the change, and everything should be up and running as of now. So, enjoy!

http://generaldebrigade.greatboard.com/

Salute 2008

2008-04-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

Loughton Strike Force again took Waterloo to Salute 2008 but this time the eastern side of the battlefield to cover D'Erlon's Attack. Figures were a mixture of mainly Elite and Front Rank 28mm's painted by Doug Bernie and Andy Thomlinson. Terrain was constructed by Doug Bernie and Gary Williams. For more photos of the game see the Salute 2008 thread on the Forum.

The Battle for Hougoumont

2008-02-26T10:33:00.001-08:00

See the forum of more pictures of the Battle for Hougoumont game that Loughton Strike Force put on at the Cavalier Show. Our next outing will be Salute - see you there!

Forum Problem

2007-09-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

The discussion forum is currently experiencing a few problems. If you are receiving an error message, then you will need to delete your cookies and temporary files before you can gain access. (Instructions here.) You also may have to disable the automatic login feature on your account. Apologies for any inconvenience!

Colours 2007: Picketts Charge

2007-09-17T02:55:00.000-07:00

The Pickett's Charge Demo game using Guns at Gettysburg Rules put on at Colours this year. For more photos click here.

Scenario News

2007-08-10T02:55:00.000-07:00

The following scenario books are all in the pipeline for publication:

British Grenadier! AWI = Ten more scenarios from Lexington to Yorktown.
General de Brigade Napoleonic = Wellinton's Victories.
Guns at Gettysburg ACW = Heartland - Battles for Kentucky & the Tennessee - out now!
Battlegroup PanzerGrenadier WW2 = Battles for the Med.

Salute 2007

2007-04-24T04:27:00.000-07:00

OPTIONAL RULES: Guns at Gettysburg!

2007-02-16T02:29:00.000-08:00

OPTIONAL RULES FOR: GUNS AT GETTYSBURG.
Ordering the Regt. to Lie Down. The Brigade General or C in C within 15cms may order a Regt. to lie down. This must be done in the movement phase and takes ½ turn. However once prone the Regt. must roll successfully against the Gone to Ground – Get Up! Table to stand up again.

Very Small Regiments. Any unit that is 15 figures or smaller has the option to be deployed entirely as skirmishers. Once deployed entirely as skirmishers the unit may not be deployed as a close order unit later in the battle.

LIMBERED ARTILLERY - Rule Amendment

2007-01-02T07:34:00.000-08:00

The Limbered Artillery modifier has now been amended and is included in the lastest reprint of General de Brigade 2nd Edition. See below.
PAGE 33 Last Paragraph. LIMBERED ARTILLERY
WAS:
Counts as a normal close order target with no modifiers
NOW:
Counts as an enfiladed target, applying the +2 modifier.

So, if you are keen to lead the advance with your artillery - you have been warned!

GUNS AT GETTYSBURG!

2006-09-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

The new set of ACW rules "Guns at Gettysburg" is now at the printers/publishers, it is hoped they will be out late 2006.
They are a based on the General de Brigade Napoleonic rules system adapted to the ACW period and maintain the regiment as the basic wargames unit, catering for brigade, divisional and even corps actions.
Updates, rules questions and discussion forum will be housed on this, the joint GdeB website.

REVISED LARGE BATTALION RULING

2006-09-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

1) LARGE BATTALIONS: Any battalion over 40 figures strong that is graded Veteran or worse, will require a full move to carry out any formation change. (Half from column to closed column.)

2) BRITISH BATTALIONS OPERATING IN WINGS. Any British battalion graded as Line or better may split into two “wings” of equal size and operate as two independent battalions – however both must belong to the same brigade. 1 Turn is required to split the battalion into wings and this must be carried out prior to the battle or on Turn 1. No wing may number less than 15 figures at the time of the split. The battalion may recombine into one battalion at any stage of the battle. 1 turn is required to reform the battalion and both units must be within 5cms of each other.

British Grenadier Revised Playsheets

2006-09-01T13:09:00.000-07:00

Here are the British Grenadier Revised Playsheets in PDF format.

You will need a PDF reader such as Adobe Reader or Foxit Reader to view the files. If all else fails, try this HTML version.

BRITISH GRENADIER! GERMANTOWN 1777

2006-08-07T03:10:00.000-07:00

This refight of Germantown was graciously hosted by Alan Perry.The rebels almost managed complete surprise upon the British defenders as they advanced through the early morning fog. But a US tendency to fire at anything in the fog, esp. their own men, combined with a tenacious British defense eventually saw the forces of his majesty hold the field!

Battlegroup Panzergrenadier Playsheets

2006-06-08T05:13:00.000-07:00

Here are the Battlegroup Panzergrenadier Playsheets in PDF format.

You will need a PDF reader such as Adobe Reader or Foxit Reader to view the files. If all else fails, try this HTML version.

GdeB in 10mm!

2006-05-01T00:46:00.000-07:00

Shows what can be done with 10mm figures! 90 figures a battalion!

GdeB NAPOLEONIC SCENARIOS VOL.3

2006-04-29T06:24:00.000-07:00

Caliver Books are now taking post free Pre-orders for Vol 3 The Glory Years.

It contains the following scenarios:
1. Marengo 1800: The Austrian Breakout.
2. Marengo 1800: Blooding of the Consular Guard.
3. Marengo 1800: Desaix’s Counter-Attack
4. Halsach-Jurgen1805: The Kaiserliks Strike Back.
5. Austerlitz 1805: Attack on the Pratzeberg.
6. Austerlitz 1805: Attack on Stare-Vinohrady.
7. Austerlitz 1805: Attack of the Russian Imperial Guard.
8. Auerstadt 1806. Davout against the Odds
9. Friedland 1807: Ney’s Attack.
10. Eggmuhl 1809: Charles vs. Napoleon

WATERLOO AT SALUTE 06

2006-04-23T05:50:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to all those that supported our D'Erlon's Attack at Waterloo demo game at Salute, and especially to those who voted us the Most Impressive Troops prize!! :)

KHARKOV GAME

2006-03-10T03:27:00.000-08:00

Shots of the Kharkov demo game from the Tunbrudge Show

GRANDES BANDES

2006-01-14T03:46:00.000-08:00

NEW RULES FOR GRANDES BANDES
1. Any Light or Line Battalion deploying more than 50% of its strength is classed as in Grand Bandes, (Open order) and not as skirmish order.

Light battalions are now restricted to deploying a maximum of 50% of their strength in skirmish order. (This was the standard amount usually deployed, I know that occasionally more were committed to the skirmish line but that was rare, so for the sake of simplicity and realism, we’ll keep it to 50%.)

2. Grandes Bandes is regarded as a close order formation in “open order” and not skirmish order. There must be a minimum of half-base width between each base. All companies are placed in the line; there is no command base to the rear.

3. 1 Turn is required to form or reform from Grandes Bandes. Must reform into line formation prior to any other formation change.

4. Target modifier = -2.

5. Fire as close order infantry.

6. May charge/stand in melee as normal without restrictions.

7. Classed as formed infantry for movement purposes – except Grandes Bandes move at column speed.

8. Classed as formed for all morale purposes. (Unless faltering or unformed through melee, etc.)

9. Classed as an unformed unit for all melee purposes, when opposing close order troops, (including artillery).

10. Skirmishers treat grandes bandes as close order troops for all purposes. (I.E. skirmishers may not charge units in grandes bandes.)

11. Grande Bandes use the Light Battalion Recall Table. All French units from 1796-1809 receive a +2 modifier. French, British & Prussian infantry receive a +1 modifier from 1810-1815.

12. Any infantry type, (Line Light, Grenadiers, etc) may deploy into Grande Bandes (Open order). Only Light infantry may deploy in skirmish order.

INTENSIVE FIRE FOR A/T GUNS

2005-12-06T02:51:00.000-08:00

A/T GUN INTENSIVE FIRE – Available to all AT guns and artillery pieces under 100mm in the direct fire mode graded as Regular or better.

(I.E. Any AT gun up to and including an 88mm may intensive fire, larger guns such as the Russian 100mm may not.)

The player must state the piece is intensive firing and may engage two targets in either in the Command Phase or as Defensive Fire. (This only applies to artillery pieces and does not include tanks, SP guns or auto-cannons.)

If using intensive fire the second shot must be taken immediately, conduct a separate attack against each target (or the same target) and apply an additional -1 modifier for each roll. Low on Ammo is adjusted to a 3 or less.

Restrictions: No movement, pivoting or unlimbering is permitted if using Intensive Fire and the second target must be within a 45-degree arc and within 4" [6"] of the first target. Inexperienced & Militia crews may not Intensive Fire, (due to a lack of training/experience.)
Units that are Low on Ammo may not Intensive Fire.

Rationale: This helps to represent the very real danger posed by AT guns to armoured targets, esp. deployed in any form of Pak front. And highlights the difference in fire capability between artillery and armoured units.

Austerlitz Pratzberg Orders of Battle

2005-10-12T14:05:00.000-07:00

The new Austerlitz Pratzberg orbats are now available in the Orders of Battle section.

General de Brigade Playsheets

2005-10-12T13:48:00.000-07:00

(Click images to view full size)

PanzerGrenadier Rocchetta Scenario

2005-09-14T02:21:00.000-07:00

Another Battlegroup PanzerGrenadier scenario from Angus in the wilds of Scotland is now available in the Scenarios section.

This time its Rocchetta, Italy 1944 - with German forces counter-attacking Italians & French. Click on the scenario section for details.

Players may like to try one of the 2nd Edtion rules with this scenario:

German MG34/42 LMG section ranges:
Range - Close: 0 - 4" [0 - 6"];
Effective 5 - 12" [7 - 18"];
Long 13 - 16" [ 20 - 24"].

Forum Open

2005-08-22T06:40:00.000-07:00

The work that required the forum closure has now been carried out and it has been reopened. Those who were being blocked by corporate firewalls will not yet be able to post – but we’re halfway to resolving this now.

Updated:

All forum work should now be finished. Just follow the updated link. The database has been restored to as it was on circa 15th August; a few posts and/or threads etc. added while the changeover was taking place will have been trimmed. Apologies for this (and the maintenance time in general) but it was necessary.

Those who were blocked access to the forum from their workplace etc. – you should now be able to access it without any issue but, as ever, please notify me of any major problems.

Temporary Forum Closure

2005-08-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately the discussion forum has been temporarily closed; there are a number of users who have been unable to access the new forum due to corporate firewalls blocking non-port 80 traffic. I am currently working on a work-around and will re-open the forum as soon as humanely possible.

Thanks for you patience.

Austerlitz 2005

2005-08-07T05:10:00.000-07:00

The Attack on the Pratzenberg Heights pitted Soult’s two main attack divisions upon the Allied held Pratzenberg and Stare-Vinhorady. The game was played on a 12 foot table with ten players and numerous battalions!

The game started in true Austerlitz form with both St Hilaire and Vandamme charging straight into “La feu”! St Hilaire’s men stormed the Praztenberg in style despite vigorous attention from Kollowrath's Russian artillery. Heavy casualties and the loss of one brigade did not prevent St Hilaire taking the Russian gun line and cresting the Pratzenberg. Austrian reinforcements sent in piecemeal were soundly despatched as St Hilaire now turned left and slowly but surely rolled up the Allied flank.

However Vandamme’s brigades initiated their attacks in clumsy columnar formations with no preliminary skirmisher or artillery support and soon fell foul of Austrian artillery, at one stage even being outnumbered by allied skirmishers! French attacks stalled as ever increasing casualties forced the deployment of both skirmishers and linear formations. This lull allowed the allied command to initiate a flanking manoeuvre, which the subsequent French attack literally walked straight into as they closed upon Stare-Vinhorady. Two out of three French bridges were utterly broken by the allied fire and sent tumbling back down the slope.

The arrival of the both Imperial Guards saw Russian grenadier attacks upon the village of Prazte bloodied and checked by Vandamme’s remaining brigade, now supported Drouet's men. The guard cavalry of both emperors clashed on the Pratzenberg and despite the French Horse Grenadiers literally ridding over the first wave of Russian chevalier guards, the greater Russian numbers told and eventually the French guard horse were forced back down the slope.

The defeats suffered at Stare-Vinhorady (the allies had literally swept Vandamme’s broken brigades from the field) and at the hands of the Russian cavalry meant the French, despite St Hilaire’s gallant advance, were too exhausted to launch further attacks to secure entire Pratzenberg, and the allies claimed victory! (Orbats to follow.)

Welcome to General de Brigade

2005-07-29T05:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the relaunched General de Brigade site.

The new format provides for far more regular updates on rules, games, photos and events.

The forums will change slightly in that all rules will be catered for under the one forum site. So please post all threads relating to General de Brigade, British Grenadier, Guns at Gettysburg & Battlegroup PanzerGrenadier on the new forum. (It just makes it easier running one rather than many disparate sites!). All the old orbats and threads should also be accessible eventually.

Waterloo 2002 Gallery

2005-07-27T04:43:00.000-07:00

Click the thumbnail below to launch the Waterloo 2002 gallery!

FAQ

2000-01-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

FOR 15MM FIGURES:

DIVISIONAL GENERAL – 40mm x 40 mm – two to four figures.
BRIGADE GENERAL – 30mm wide x 35mm deep – one or two figures.

Unit Frontages:

CAVALRY – 10mm-12mm per figure mounted in pairs, threes or even fours.
Single rank.
ARTILLERY – 30mm-40mm per model gun. One gun per base crewed by
four figures
SKIRMISHERS – 12mm-15mm per figure. Single rank.

FOR 25MM FIGURES:

DIVISIONAL GENERAL – 70mm to 100mm x 70mm to 100mm – two to four figures.
BRIGADE GENERAL – 45mm wide x 50mm deep – one or two figures.

Unit Frontages:

INFANTRY – 15mm per figure mounted in two ranks with either one or two companies to a base. Most players use either six or eight figure bases.
CAVALRY – 20mm per figure mounted in pairs, threes or even fours. Single rank.
ARTILLERY – 50mm-60mm per model gun. One gun per base crewed by four figures.
SKIRMISHERS – 20-30mm per figure. Single rank.
NB: Larger frontages of up to 1mm-2mm extra per figure are okay if the figures are a tight squeeze on the base

UNIT DEPTHS:

Kept to minimum, allowing enough room for the figures to sit adequately. (Depths on wargames figures are way out of scale compared to the frontages anyway. So I wouldn’t worry too much!)

Purchase and Contact Information

2000-01-01T13:00:00.000-08:00

Where to Buy:

Caliver Books

CALIVER BOOKS
816-818 LONDON RD
LEIGH ON SEA
ESSEX SS9 3NH
Tel & Fax 01702 73986

The rules publisher's website. £12.50 plus £1.50 UK, £2.50 worldwide p+p

Contact:

dcrbrown@aol.com